What is a Posterior Cruciate Ligament Injury?The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is the sturdiest ligament in the knee joint. Ligaments are thick, tough bands of tissue that join bone to bone. The PCL runs along the back of the knee joint from the end of the thighbone (femur) to the top of the lower leg bone (tibia). The PCL helps keep the knee joint to stable, particularly the back of the joint. An injury to the PCL could include injuring, straining, or tearing any part of that ligament. The PCL is the least regularly injured ligament in the knee. A PCL injury is sometimes denoted to as an “overextended knee.”

Causes of PCL InjuriesPCL injuries are often due to a shock to the knee while it's twisted. Common causes comprise of:

Striking the knee beside the dashboard during an auto accident

Falling on the knee while it's curved

Sports are a common cause of PCL damage. These injuries are particularly common in:

Football

Soccer

Skiing

Baseball

An injury to the PCL can cause minor to severe damage. Mumbai Surgeons classify PCL injuries in these groups:

Grade 1: The PCL has a limited tear.

Grade 2: The ligament is partially torn and is looser than in Grade 1.

PCL difficulties can be acute or long-lasting. Acute PCL problems are due to an unexpected injury. Chronic PCL problems include an injury that develops over time.

Symptoms of PCL InjuryMost people don't feel the sensation or hear a "popping" feeling in the knee after PCL damage. This is more common with an injury to the ACL. After PCL damage, people frequently think they only have a negligible knee problem. They may try to go on with their regular activities. However, symptoms that can develop which includes:

Diagnosing PCL ProblemsTo diagnose a PCL injury, a surgeon may take these steps:Your surgeon will ask what you were doing when the damage occurred, such as traveling in a car or playing a game. He or she will also ask:

If your knee was twisted, straight, or bent when it was damaged

How your knee felt after the damage

If you've had any indications since you were injured

Physical examination: In a common examination for PCL damages, you lie on your back with your knee curved. Your surgeons then examine your knee and presses against your higher shin. Abnormal knee movement during this examination suggests a PCL injury. You may also be checked with equipment called an arthrometer. This presses against your leg to check the ligament's stiffness. Your doctor may also ask you to tread. An abnormal walking motion may point to PCL damage. X-rays can deliver facts about PCL damage. They can identify pieces of bone that may have broken loose from the damage.